The title of this book, God on Ventilator, immediately sparks curiosity. It plants a question in the reader's mind and builds a strong desire to uncover what lies within its pages. Dr. K.P. Wasnik has taken on a bold and abstract subject and skillfully explored it through deep research and philosophical analysis. He gently initiates the reader into the idea of God's existence, only to later challenge and ultimately deconstruct that very idea using the principles of Buddhist philosophy.
In doing so, he categorizes philosophers around the world into Four broad schools of thought:
1. Those who accept the existence of personal God,
2. Those who accepted universal God,
3. Those who accepted nature as a God,
4. Those who rejected the concept of God or existence of God.
The beauty of this book lies in its simplicity and clarity, making a complex subject accessible to readers from all backgrounds. It serves as a powerful tool to rethink and unlearn long-held dogmas. For that reason, I believe this book deserves a place in the "must-read" category.
Lord Buddha, as discussed in this work, took a radically different approach. He did not merely remain silent on the existence of God, but he argued that debating whether God exists or not is a futile exercise, as it brings no real benefit to the individual. According to him, a righteous and enlightened society need not rely on a supernatural being. Humanity has the capacity to evolve on its own. Buddha asserted that man is an end in himself, not dependent on external divine forces. His powerful message: "Be a light unto yourself" is the central idea that defines his philosophy.
This book takes readers through a rich landscape of philosophical thought. From Plato to Descartes, Buddha to Newton, Friedrich Nietzsche to Amartya Sen, and Stephen Hawking to Richard Dawkins, the reader will encounter a broad spectrum of thinkers, some of whom supported the concept of God, while others used logic and reason to challenge it. The book offers a rare opportunity to engage with these diverse perspectives.
Among them is Friedrich Nietzsche (1844-1900), the German philosopher who famously declared in The Gay Science, "God is dead." This statement was not meant literally, but symbolically, to reflect how belief in God had lost its central place in modern society due to the rise of science and rational thought. Nietzsche viewed this as both a crisis and an opportunity-inviting individuals to create their own values and discover personal meaning in life. In essence, he echoed the same core wisdom found in Buddha's teaching: "Be a light unto yourself."
In this context, I would like to recall a profound observation by British thinker H.G. Wells, who remarked that "Buddha was the most godly man, yet he never once uttered the word 'God' in his teachings." Similarly, the spiritual teacher Osho, in The Discipline of Transcendence, wrote of Buddha:
"Gautam Buddha is like the highest peak of the Himalayas-Mount Everest. One of the purest beings, a rare phenomenon on this earth. He is not one-dimensional but multi-dimensional. His uniqueness lies in being both religious and scientific-a scientist of the inner world. That synthesis is extremely rare. To be religious is simple, to be a scientist is simple, but to combine the two is extraordinary. Yet Buddha achieved it. He is the richest human being who ever lived, not in wealth, but in fulfillment across all dimensions of life."
As this book compellingly demonstrates, the existence of God has not been proven through any scientific method, leaving room for profound doubt and introspection. And yet, through the enduring lenses of philosophy, spirituality, and rational inquiry, the human quest for meaning and purpose presses onward undeterred by unanswered questions.
Dr. K.P. Wasnik's work not only adds a valuable and timely voice to this eternal conversation, but also inspires readers to embrace self-discovery and inner strength, ultimately reinforcing the transformative power of independent thought in shaping a more enlightened world.
Hindu (1780)
Philosophers (2328)
Aesthetics (320)
Comparative (71)
Dictionary (12)
Ethics (49)
Language (351)
Logic (81)
Mimamsa (59)
Nyaya (137)
Psychology (519)
Samkhya (61)
Shaivism (67)
Shankaracharya (231)
Send as free online greeting card
Email a Friend
Visual Search
Manage Wishlist